HJ Sims Executes Complex $132.4 Million Obligated Group Financing for Benedictine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tara Perkins, AVP | 203-418-9049 | [email protected]

HJ Sims Executes Complex $132.4 Million Obligated Group Financing for Benedictine

FAIRFIELD, CT– HJ Sims (Sims), a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm founded in 1935, is pleased to announce the successful closing of a July refinancing for $132,405,000 for Benedictine Health System (Benedictine), a MN nonprofit, Catholic healthcare system providing long-term care services, congregate housing, assisted living, rehabilitation, healthcare and social services.

Historically, most of Benedictine’s affiliates were financed on a standalone basis, resulting in 36 series of outstanding debt for 19 different borrowers. The various series of debt were held by eight different banks or servicers with inconsistent terms, covenants, and reporting requirements. Benedictine’s board and executive leadership team sought to actualize a capital framework to ensure growth, transformation of service mix, and reinvestment in existing campuses. In August of 2020, Sims was engaged to spearhead this project.

Sims constructed an initial Obligated Group providing the foundation for Benedictine to realize its finance goals. Sims created and utilized a multi-faceted decision matrix that considered factors specific to each affiliate and its outstanding debt. Twenty-one senior living communities, 14 in MN and seven in ND, were selected for the Obligated Group.

Sims focused on finalizing key provisions for the Master Trust Indenture to give Benedictine’s organizational and capital structure future flexibility. Sims determined the appropriate debt structure. Because most of the existing debt was bank debt, a shorter 20-year amortization was selected to avoid an extension of the debt’s weighted average maturity. Taxable debt was selected to refinance the debt allocable to the ND communities to avoid using two issuers and to give Benedictine the flexibility of debt repayment. Sims worked with bond counsel to secure host approval and execute joint powers agreements among 20 municipalities or issuers throughout MN.

Sims solicited a broad group of commercial lenders to obtain term sheets for the taxable and tax-exempt debt. Sims requested that proposing lenders agree to the same terms as prospective bondholders eliminating the need for a separate financing agreement. Sims required that proposing lenders underwrite the loan such that the real estate was secured as an abundance of caution, and appraisals and LTV requirements would not apply. Sims and Benedictine ultimately chose to work with two lenders with whom Benedictine had longstanding relationships.

While working on the bank debt, Sims distributed long term fixed-rate bonds to the public market. Although the Obligated Group was not qualified for an investment grade rating, Sims ensured that the underlying credit strength of the operations was understood by investors. Along with strong retail participation from Sims wealth management clients, the bonds resulted in oversubscription and repricing of the bonds below expectations. Benedictine achieved a nominal amount of net present value savings and reduced its average coupon from 3.80% to 3.50%. The financing enabled Benedictine to borrow an additional $10M for routine capital expenditures across its campuses. Even with debt increase annual debt service decreased $2.0M+ facilitated by structuring the debt for level debt service. By borrowing at low rates for capital expenditures that would have been funded by operating cash, Benedictine will be in a better position to build its liquidity in the future.

Financed Right® Solutions—Lynn Daly: 312-505-5688 | [email protected] or Kerry Moynihan: 407-313-1702 | [email protected]

ABOUT HJ SIMS: Founded in 1935, HJ Sims is a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm. Headquartered in Fairfield, CT, Sims has nationwide investment banking, private wealth management and trading locations. Member FINRA, SIPC. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter,  Instagram.

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Benedictine Health System (July 2021)

Benedictine Logo

Benedictine Health System, a Minnesota nonprofit corporation, is a Catholic healthcare system that provides long-term care services, congregate housing, assisted living, rehabilitation services, and other healthcare and social services. Benedictine owns, or has a controlling interest in, 23 nursing facilities with 1,815 licensed beds and 26 senior housing with services facilities with 1,890 units in five states.

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HJ Sims forges a new stage in the world of investments

Raul Escudero, Managing Director, HJ Sims Puerto Rico said the firm is looking for young talent interested in forging a career in the investment world.

Escudero believes that the local economy shows encouraging signs and proposes to create a new strain of financial advisors on the island.

Read more in EL Neuvo Dia.

HJ Sims Advises on Poydras Homes Expansion Project

HJ Sims announced it closed $23,340,000 in financing for Poydras Homes, a continuing care retirement community in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The CCRC includes 64 private nursing care beds, all of which will be replaced with the first certified Green House project in the state in two three-story buildings along with 14 additional assisted living units.

Read more in Skilled Nursing News.

HJ Sims Advises Peoples of Bastrop on the Acquisition of a Private Water System via a Taxable Bond Issuance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tara Perkins, AVP | 203-418-9049 | [email protected]

HJ Sims Advises Peoples of Bastrop on the Acquisition of a Private Water System via a Taxable Bond Issuance

FAIRFIELD, CT– HJ Sims (Sims), a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm founded in 1935, is pleased to announce the successful closing of a July 2021 financing in the amount of $10.635 million for Peoples of Bastrop, a privately held water utility operator (Sponsor) specializing in the acquisition and management of private water and wastewater systems reached an agreement to acquire a private system serving 6,000+ customers in North LA (System).

The Sponsor has demonstrated a strong track record of operating water utilities, reducing expenses through the implementation of streamlined operations and economies of scale, but was looking for an innovative approach to acquire an additional water system in their operational footprint.

Sims underwrote the taxable municipal bond issue in the amount of $10.635 million, which was used to purchase the System from the existing operator. Initially, the plan of finance was to take the offering to a limited potential buyer base, but positive market feedback lead to Sims opening the offering to the institutional bond market. To appeal to a broader investor base, and level annual debt service in aggregate, Sims structured one medium-term bond maturing in 2033 and a long-term bond maturing in 2051.

The Sponsor found the taxable bond structure attractive for the acquisition as it provided higher leverage compared to a conventional bank loan, helping avoid raising unsecured subordinate debt at a higher cost of capital or diluting ownership in the System. The bond issue was structured with working capital and system improvements funds, allowing the Sponsor to implement their planned improvements and make necessary upgrades.

The financing consisted of a $2.375 million, 12-year taxable bond at a yield of 5.364%, and a $8.26 million, 30-year taxable bond at a yield of 5.802% underwritten by Sims. The outside-of-the-box, customized financing structure helps the long-time operator preserve strategic capital for additional growth opportunities and for the support of other systems in their portfolio.

“Our company recently acquired a water utility in northeast LA. We were fortunate to engage Sims to underwrite a taxable municipal bond in the amount of $10.635 million used to purchase the system and fund multiple reserve accounts. Jimmy Rester and his team were extremely knowledgeable and brought the necessary experience to close a complex transaction. There is no question that Sims will be a valued partner on all future financing projects we endeavor to accomplish,” Jeff McNew, Co-Founder/Managing Member.

Financed Right® Solutions—James Rester: 901.652.7378 | [email protected] or Ryan Snow: 843.870.4081 | [email protected].

ABOUT HJ SIMS: Founded in 1935, HJ Sims is a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm. Headquartered in Fairfield, CT, Sims has nationwide investment banking, private wealth management and trading locations. Member FINRA, SIPC. Testimonials may not be representative of another client’s experience. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter,  Instagram.

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Autism, IDD Nonprofit Elwyn Secures $45M Refinancing Package

HJ Sims is pleased to have helped make the refinancing possible. It conducted a comprehensive bank solicitation seeking a $45 million taxable credit facility, comprising a $30 million line of credit and letters of credit for up to $15 million. The facility is secured by a pledge of gross revenues and a mortgage on Elwyn’s main campus on parity with Elwyn’s $56 million of outstanding tax-exempt bonds and tax-exempt/taxable bank debt.

Read more in Behavioral Health Business.

An Investment Opportunity: Landis Homes

Landis Homes Logo
Landis Homes Logo

$52,210,000*
LANCASTER INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Health Center Revenue Refunding Bonds
Landis Homes Retirement Community
SERIES 2021

HJ Sims is pleased to serve as sole underwriter for tax-exempt Series 2021 revenue refunding bonds on behalf of Landis Homes, located in Lititz, PA. Landis Homes is a not-for-profit retirement community which is home to 875+ persons living in cottages, apartments, hybrids, suites, personal care and healthcare on a 114-acre campus surrounded by
Lancaster County farmland.

Landis Homes is an affiliate of the Landis Communities, which started in the early 1960s when Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities (now EMM) began exploring how they might develop a community for retired mission workers, pastors and others. Landis Communities is the location of choice for those who follow the Mennonite faith tradition. There is a very strong connection to the local churches and almost 55% of the residents come from the Mennonite faith. Most Mennonite Communities in Lancaster County do not have a similar representation.

Landis Communities is committed to creatively serving the diverse needs and interests of older adults. These needs come from a cross-section of races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic status.

About the Bonds

  • Series 2021
    • $52,210,000*
    • Fitch Rated “BBB-” Stable Outlook
    • Bonds are exempt from Federal Income Tax and exempt from State of Pennsylvania Income Tax
    • Denominations of $5,000; no transfer restrictions
    • Interest will be payable on January 1 and July 1 of each year, commencing January 1, 2022
    • First principal payment: July 1, 2023

Project

  • Refund outstanding bank debt
  • Expected renovation and improvement of facilities, independent living areas and housing units.

Security

  • Secured by Master Trust Indenture
    • Includes pledge of Gross Receipts of the Obligated Group and mortgage of substantially all real estate of the Borrower
  • 50% Funded Debt Service Reserve Fund

 Key Financial Covenants

  • 1.20x Debt Service Coverage Ratio; tested annually
  • 120 Days Cash on Hand; tested semi-annually
  • Event of Default if DSRC is below 1.00x for two consecutive fiscal years

We are currently accepting indications of interest for these tax-exempt bonds with an expected pricing the week of September 13, 2021, and anticipated settlement during the week of September 27, 2021. For more information including risks, please read the Preliminary Official Statement in its entirety. If you have interest in purchasing these bonds, please contact your HJ Sims financial professional as soon as possible.

LEARN MORE
888.588.7559

*Subject to change

No dealer, broker, salesperson, or other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained in the Preliminary Official Statement and, if given or made, such other information or representation should not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Issuer, the Borrower, or the Underwriters. The information set forth herein has been obtained from the Issuer, Borrower, and other sources that are believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness by, and is not construed as a representation of, the Underwriters. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Under no circumstances shall this constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Any offering or solicitation will be made only to investors pursuant to the Preliminary Official Statement, which should be read in its entirety. Investments involve risk including the possible loss of principal. HJ Sims is a member of FINRA and SIPC, and is not affiliated with Landis Homes

HJ Sims secures $45M taxable credit facility for human services non-profit

HJ Sims closed a $45 million refinancing package for Elwyn, a Media, Pennsylvania-based nonprofit provider of support, treatment and education to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism and related behavioral health issues in the U.S. Elwyn delivers education, residential and community-based treatment, and vocational training programs to more than 20,000 individuals in California, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Virginia. 

Read more in Senior Housing News.

HJ Sims Assists Elwyn Secure Replacement $45 million Taxable Credit Facility

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tara Perkins, AVP | 203-418-9049 | [email protected]

HJ Sims Assists Elwyn Secure Replacement $45 million Taxable Credit Facility

FAIRFIELD, CT– HJ Sims (Sims), a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm founded in 1935, is pleased to announce the successful closing of a June 2021 refinancing for $45,000,000 for Elwyn, the oldest and largest not-for-profit provider of support, treatment and education to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism and related behavioral health issues in the U.S.

Headquartered in Media, PA, Elwyn delivers education, residential and community-based treatment, and vocational training programs to more than 20,000 individuals in California, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Virginia. Elwyn generates approximately $400 million in annual revenue and employs 3,500+. 

Elwyn engaged Sims in late 2020 to identify and implement a replacement credit facility and a new commercial banking relationship. Elwyn was executing a variety of initiatives pre-COVID19, including:

  • Implementing financial turn-around plan
  • Hiring a new CEO
  • Shifting reimbursement methodology with overall enhanced organizational revenue cycle management
  • Modernization of information technology systems
  • Integration of a behavioral services acquisition program and real estate holding evaluation
  • Prioritization and selective monetization of non-core real estate holdings

Elwyn faced COVID-19 related challenges, including reduced/shifted programming and challenged staffing availability. Elwyn effectively continued the transition, resulting in improved profitability along with significant increases in cash flow, which was applied to build liquidity along with a significant pay-down on its outstanding line of credit.

Sims conducted a comprehensive bank solicitation seeking a $45 million taxable credit facility, comprised of a $30 million line of credit and letters of credit for up to $15 million. The facility is secured by a pledge of gross revenues and a mortgage on Elwyn’s main campus on parity with Elwyn’s $56 million of outstanding tax-exempt bonds and tax-exempt/taxable bank debt.

Elwyn opted to combine participation of two new banking partners, with Key Bank providing up to $30 million and Bank United providing up to $15 million. Among the highlights of the new facility are interest rate denominated in SOFR (Secured Overnight Funding Rate) reflective of the upcoming transition from LIBOR as the industry benchmark interest rate; competitive interest rate pricing along with up-front and ongoing fees; integration with Elwyn’s outstanding long-term debt related to debt security and covenants; and expedited closing.

The closing represents an attractive replacement to Elwyn’s prior credit facility, and provides a reduced loan credit spread by approximately 75 basis points with liberalized reporting covenants. Sims was honored to play a role and to continue a 30-year banking relationship with Elwyn.

“We were fortunate to have Jim Bodine and Siamac Afshar shepherd us through the refinancing of our short-term line of credit in FY 2020. This represented a major turning point for Elwyn. Sims facilitated the process during COVID-19 under extraordinary circumstances. The team was professional, experienced and highly competent. Exactly what we needed, precisely when we needed it. We will continue to use Sims for similar activity in the future, post turnaround, as we return to strategic planning and growth,” Charles McLister, CEO, Elwyn.

Financed Right® Solutions—Jim Bodine: 267.360.6245 | [email protected] or Siamac Afshar: 276.360.6250 | [email protected]

ABOUT HJ SIMS: Founded in 1935, HJ Sims is a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm. Headquartered in Fairfield, CT, Sims has nationwide investment banking, private wealth management and trading locations. Member FINRA, SIPC. Testimonials may not be representative of another client’s experience. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter,  Instagram.

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